MANILA – In a continued effort to combat illegal drugs, the Bureau of Customs (BOC), specifically the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) branch, in collaboration with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (NAIA-IADITG), successfully apprehended a Malaysian traveler who arrived from Madagascar via Addis Ababa on Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET 644. The passenger was found to be carrying packages of Methamphetamine Hydrochloride concealed within his luggage.
The rigorous screening of the passenger’s luggage, including x-ray scanning and a thorough physical examination, led to the discovery of 3.722 kilograms of Methamphetamine hidden inside the lining of the luggage. The estimated value of the seized drugs is Php25,308,600.00, as confirmed by PDEA.
Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio commended the efforts of the officers involved, stating, “This apprehension is a product of the strengthened commitment of our officers to protect our borders from the entry of illicit goods. I commend the Port and our partner agencies in this successful interdiction and suppression of drug smuggling.”
The arrested passenger will face prosecution for violating Republic Act No. 9165, also known as The Comprehensive Drug Act, and Republic Act No. 10863, which pertains to the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
Under the leadership of District Collector Atty. Yasmin O. Mapa, BOC-NAIA continues to fulfill its responsibilities, particularly in safeguarding the country’s borders. This incident follows the arrest of two Singaporean nationals on September 28, 2023, who were caught carrying Php76.1 million worth of cocaine from Doha, Qatar.
